Updating individual libraries in Darwin?

I am going to go out on a limb and say "No"

While OSX is a unix variant, I doubt that random files for other unices will be able to be compiled and stuffed into OSX.

Agree with Keith Barkley. There is no limb to go out on. It is simply taboo if you care about the normal operation of OS X. There is just too much inter-dependent stuff to start mucking with it.

The entire operating system, for the version that is released, goes through regression testing with the library versions that ship with it. Any application, or System process that expects explicit library functionality, or checks the library version, may explode if it finds something newer, or whose functionality has changed from what the code expects. Even a change in a library module that departs from a previous, expected data type can wreak havoc.

Not to mention that OSX/Darwin might put different libraries in different kext or frameworks so you would not be able to even figure out where to put the object file.

libarchive is compiled on OS X with the same source code found at http://www.libarchive.org/ . Apple does change the configuration. You can find the xcode project file for your version of libarchive at http://opensource.apple.com//.Now, it is possible to apply the libarchive.org patches to the the source code found at opensource.apple then build the patched version but.... Well, you still have to overcome sip and the possibility that the finished product is not codesigned properly. Assuming that you got the patched version files installed and working, at anytime a software update could overwrite your changes.

If you need the updated library or want to use the updated bsdtar or bsdcpio, then download the patched source code and compile it in a prefix such as /usr/local or $HOME/local.

gamcall64 wrote:

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I understand why I'd compile bsdtar or cpio to "lesser" paths like /usr/local, but I can't avoid putting the libarchive objects in the "proper" locations (like /usr/lib) for them to work properly can I?

Look at

man dyld

I think you want to look closely at DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH

Is there some type of forum limit for the number of helpful answers?

1 Answer

2 Helpful

Presumably there can be only one correct answer.

If you use the word "Correct" loosely 🙂

Whatever the person that started the thread chooses as Answered. But you would be surprised at the number of times they choose themselves, or accidentally click answered when the problem is not solved and they still need help, however, an answered question draws less viewers.

I tried to mark your answer as helpful but it wasn't having it.

That is perfectly OK.